Deacons Krueger, Ostrowski, Potempski and Pryce embark on new ministry of service in humility, will serve local parishes
DETROIT — On Saturday, Oct. 3, Kurt Krueger, Jeffrey Ostrowski, Ronald Potempski and James Pryce were seated with their families in the pews of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, awaiting the moment when they'd join their brothers behind the altar as newly ordained deacons.
More photos: Ordination of Deacons Krueger, Ostrowski, Potempski and Pryce
In a Mass celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, the four men were ordained to the permanent diaconate and given their new parish assignments: Deacon Krueger will serve at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth; Deacon Ostrowski will serve at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Livonia; Deacon Potempski has been assigned to ministry at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods; and Deacon Pryce will join Resurrection Parish in Canton.
Much of the Mass and its message focused on the image of deacons as ministers of humble service, a theme that prevailed across the homily, the thanksgiving address, and families' reflections on their new phase of ministry.
Each of Detroit's newest deacons embarks on their new appointments alongside wives and children who have supported them in their formation.
"It's a true blessing," Mary Krueger, the wife of Deacon Krueger, told Detroit Catholic. "Kurt and I have talked about this for years, and for it to come to fruition is a beautiful thing. We feel the blessing and love from the Holy Spirit pouring down on us."
As her husband has progressed through the formation process, Mary has also been able to pursue her master's degree at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and she feels the next step in their mission is to bring the presence of Christ closer to home.
"He is just led by Christ," Mary said of Deacon Krueger. "He loves the Holy Spirit, and he loves to serve people. He is a really kind and gentle servant of God."
Deacon Potempski's wife, Marie-Louisa, has also been active in joint formation with her husband. A third-generation Secular Carmelite, Marie looks forward to getting to know the individuals and community in their new assignment at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
"That's Ron's and my purpose: to bring the love of Christ to other people," Marie said.
She hopes their ministry will help individuals — especially youths and young people — who want a relationship with Christ but don't know where to begin.
Watch the Mass: Ordination of Deacons Krueger, Ostrowski, Potempski and Pryce
"First and foremost, we let love and the Gospel message move us forward. It's imperative for us to be stewards of that message," she said.
Denise Pryce, who will join her husband in their new assignment at Resurrection Parish, said that Deacon Pryce's grandmother was actually the first to surface the possibility of Jim considering a vocation to the diaconate.
"He mentioned it, and I was all for it," Denise said. "The formation process was pretty steady. We learned a lot going through this with him, and we were eager to join him. He wants to be a servant and help anyone in need."
These traits of service and stewardship of the Gospel were also pillars of Archbishop Weisenburger's greeting to the new deacons during Mass.
"Today, the Church formally calls you to diakonia," Archbishop Weisenburger said in his homily. "Diakonia — a ministry that cannot be reduced to a sole concept, and yet, paradoxically, every direction from which we approach it, we always land on service. But, more specifically, service in humility.
"Diakonia is the foundation of all three orders in the Church, meaning that all members of the diaconate, the priesthood, and the episcopacy — all three — must be grounded in humble service,” the archbishop continued. “Our Gospel passage for today is perhaps the perfect reminder of that sacred and Christlike humble service."
After his homily, Archbishop Weisenburger called each of the four men up to the altar, one by one, where he affirmed each man’s commitment and desire to faithfully fulfill the vocation of the diaconate.
After a litany of supplication was sung, with each man lying prostrate on the marble floor, Archbishop Weisenburger laid his hands upon their heads, ordaining them deacons.
The new deacons then received their stole and dalmatic, vesting for the first time, and were given the Book of the Gospels as they knelt before the archbishop.
After exchanging a sign of peace — and warm embraces — from the archbishop and fellow deacons, the four newly ordained men joined the archbishop at the altar for the continuation of their first Mass as deacons.
After Mass, Deacon Pryce shared a heartfelt message of thanksgiving on behalf of his ordination classmates, reaffirming the new deacons’ commitment to humility and service.
"We ask you to please continue to pray for us as we become humble, faithful, and joyful servants to you and God's flock," Deacon Pryce said.
In his address, Deacon Pryce thanked God for the gift of the diaconate, as well as the deacons’ families, formators, fellow deacons and all who had supported them in their formation and discernment.
The address concluded, however, with a special message of thanks.
"Our very biggest and special thank you to our greatest gifts from God: our wives. Thank you for your ‘yes,’ otherwise we wouldn't be here today,” Deacon Pryce concluded. “Thank you for making us better men."
